The Buzz: California state scientists OK short-term contract

After rejecting Gov. Jerry Brown’s first contract offer, California’s state scientists have overwhelmingly approved a second deal with the administration.

The final tally of votes by members of the California Association of Professional Scientists: 1,171 in favor and 177 opposed. About half the union’s members voted.

The vote tested the scientists’ solidarity and leadership, since the second contract offered less money – an immediate $1,000 bonus and a 3 percent raise next July – than the deal that two-thirds of voting members rejected just a few months ago.

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The union has long sought much larger pay raises to close a considerable pay gap with state and local government workers who perform similar work. Union leaders promoted the just-ratified package to members with promises that taking the deal would restart talks with the Brown administration to decrease and reclassify the state scientists corps. That, the union says, will open a pathway to higher pay.

Only one state union remains without a ratified contract. The International Union of Operating Engineers is expected to announce the vote for an agreement this week.

Jon Ortiz

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